max2cam
ArboristSite Guru
I feel like a dummy telling about my little accident, but if it helps somebody else...
Yesterday I was splitting some kindling with my Fiskar's "Super Splitter" 4 lb splitting axe. Only about the 2nd or 3rd time I used it. Well, I was splitting like I have been splitting for the last 30 years, when that fast moving sucker went thru the wood chunk, slipped in my gloves, and made a fast arc down, around, and right at my left foot!
That sharp edge cut right through the heavy leather of my boot and made a deep 1/2 inch gash into the top of my foot. It didn't bleed much and isn't real serious, but it would have been worse if I had been wearing lighter footgear. Mostly I feel stupid.
Partly maybe it was my fault. But I did NOT expect that thing to turn back towards me. That I believe was partly due to the shortness of the handle, which sort of made it swing (when it slipped in my glove) in a circular arc towards me.
I looked at the packaging later and NO instructions came with that thing. But I can say now from experience that it acts differently than an ordinary splitting maul with its sharp blade, speed, and peculiar handle.
Now that I learned the hard way I'd suggest the following:
1) Plant your feet wide apart so that if the thing cames at you it goes between your feet and doesn't hit them.
2) Make a real effort to strike directly down or even a little outwards so if the handle slips in your gip the remaining force of the strike doesn't arc down, around, and come back at you as that Super Splitter goes through easy splitting wood like lightning.
3) Remember that it doesn't act like a regular maul but has its own peculiar characteristics.
I can't believe that thing didn't come with any kind of instructions or warnings. Would I have read and followed them? I don't know, but they should be there....
Yesterday I was splitting some kindling with my Fiskar's "Super Splitter" 4 lb splitting axe. Only about the 2nd or 3rd time I used it. Well, I was splitting like I have been splitting for the last 30 years, when that fast moving sucker went thru the wood chunk, slipped in my gloves, and made a fast arc down, around, and right at my left foot!
That sharp edge cut right through the heavy leather of my boot and made a deep 1/2 inch gash into the top of my foot. It didn't bleed much and isn't real serious, but it would have been worse if I had been wearing lighter footgear. Mostly I feel stupid.
Partly maybe it was my fault. But I did NOT expect that thing to turn back towards me. That I believe was partly due to the shortness of the handle, which sort of made it swing (when it slipped in my glove) in a circular arc towards me.
I looked at the packaging later and NO instructions came with that thing. But I can say now from experience that it acts differently than an ordinary splitting maul with its sharp blade, speed, and peculiar handle.
Now that I learned the hard way I'd suggest the following:
1) Plant your feet wide apart so that if the thing cames at you it goes between your feet and doesn't hit them.
2) Make a real effort to strike directly down or even a little outwards so if the handle slips in your gip the remaining force of the strike doesn't arc down, around, and come back at you as that Super Splitter goes through easy splitting wood like lightning.
3) Remember that it doesn't act like a regular maul but has its own peculiar characteristics.
I can't believe that thing didn't come with any kind of instructions or warnings. Would I have read and followed them? I don't know, but they should be there....